The Human Nervous System

Human Nervous System Diagram
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Structure of the Human Nervous System

The Human Nervous System can be divided into two main components: The Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System.

Central Nervous System

Two elements comprise the Central Nervous System:

The Spinal Cord and Brain work to interpret messages sent from your body’s sensory receptors and initiate reactions.

Peripheral Nervous System

The Peripheral Nervous System is also made of two sections:

TheĀ Somatic Nervous System receives information from your senses using sensory receptors and transmits this message to the Central Nervous System. It then takes the response and feeds it to the body’s motor pathways to enact the reaction.

Balancing your body’s internal conditions is the task of the Autonomic Nervous System. Within this system, the Sympathetic Nervous System and Parasympathetic Nervous System work in tandem to keep your unconscious bodily functions, such as breathing or digestion, effective. This internal equilibrium is known as homeostasis.

About Daniel Edward 65 Articles
Daniel set up Psychology Unlocked in 2016 to support Psychology students in higher and further education. Daniel has a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Psychology, Politics and Sociology from the University of Cambridge.